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Elizabeth Jane Blessing Basford Obituary

As part of my multi-post series about the Blessing Sisters, below is the obituary for Elizabeth Jane Blessing Basford mentioned in Part 5. It’s from the book that Michael Winney wrote in 2007, Ancestry of The Winney Siblings: Arthur Jr., Margaret, Patricia, Kathleen, Leonard & Michael.

The funeral services were held on Friday morning, Dec. 5, and according to her own request, in the Congregational church, conducted by the pastors of the Congregational and Methodist churches. A large congregation of sympathizing friends attended the services, many of whom followed the remains to the cemetery.

Mrs. Basford was born in the county of Withe, West Virginia, in Nov. 1822.She removed from there with her parents to Missouri. After her mother’s death, she came with her father, in 1836, to the lead mining region of Wisconsin. She made her home at Cassville where she first met Mr. Basford to whom she was married on the 29th of May, 1839, when 16 years of age. She lived happily with her bereaved husband for more than half a century and usually in the enjoyment of good health. Her family consisted of six children, two boys and four girls, two of whom are now living, Mr. C.H. Basford of Lancaster, and Mrs. M.J. Scott, of Southern California.

Mrs. Basford became a member of the Methodist church of Cassville when fourteen years of age. Some years after her marriage she transferred her membership to the Congregational church of Bloomington, which was the church of her husband’s choice; and there her membership remained until transferred to the Church Triumphant. Her faith was a source of great comfort to her during her last hours and she said to her husband during her sickness that she was ready to go. She gave directions in regard to her funeral which were carefully complied with. In her every day life she was of a happy and cheerful disposition; she readily made friends and permanently retained them. Her sunny presence will be missed from the society of a large circle of friends.”